comes looking for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comes looking for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone who actively seeks out another person or thing. Example: "She often comes looking for advice when she faces difficult decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

A brushtail possum comes looking for scraps.

The Guardian

This time the inspector comes looking for something more — a safe haven.

The New York Times - Books

Be sure to get back before Laszlo comes looking for Rick's hidden letters of transit.

The Guardian - Film

Dez (Francisco Reinoso, Marlaa's husband, who's a bit more sober than she, comes looking for her.

The Washington Post

He comes looking for a job but gets no offers, "just a come-on from the whores on Seventh Avenue".

The New York Times

And Keith Carradine portrays a nemesis of Adelle (Olivia Williams), the leader of the Dollhouse, who comes looking for trouble.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Would their parents come looking for them?

The New Yorker

Don't come looking for hagiography, either.

The New York Times - Books

"They come looking for prostitutes.

The Guardian

Others came looking for loans.

The New York Times

They came looking for me.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and desired tone; "comes looking for" is generally appropriate for narrative and descriptive writing, but may be too informal for strictly formal or technical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "comes looking for" in highly formal or academic writing; opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "seeks" or "investigates".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comes looking for" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of actively seeking something or someone. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, and examples illustrate its function in narrative and descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Lifestyle

6%

Less common in

Arts

3%

Sports

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "comes looking for" is a common and correct verb phrase used to describe the action of actively seeking someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it finds frequent use across news media and general contexts. While suitable for descriptive writing, narrative and general communication, remember to use more formal alternatives like "seeks out" or "searches for" in academic or strictly formal writing. Keep in mind the nuance and the formality of the tone you want to give at the moment of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeks out

Emphasizes a more deliberate and focused search.

searches for

A more general term for trying to find someone or something.

hunts down

Suggests a more aggressive and determined search.

tracks down

Implies a careful and persistent effort to find someone or something, often over a distance or through obstacles.

pursues

Indicates a chase or following with the intent to catch or find.

is in pursuit of

More formal way to say someone or something is being chased.

attempts to locate

Formal and often used in official reports or procedures.

arrives seeking

Focuses on the arrival with a specific intention or need.

turns up in search of

Indicates an unexpected appearance with a specific purpose.

makes an appearance to find

Highlights the act of showing up with the intention of finding something.

FAQs

How can I use "comes looking for" in a sentence?

You can use "comes looking for" to describe someone actively seeking something or someone. For example: "The detective "comes looking for" clues at the crime scene".

What are some alternatives to "comes looking for"?

Alternatives include "seeks out", "searches for", or "hunts down", depending on the context and the intensity of the search.

Is "comes looking for" too informal for academic writing?

In most cases yes, it may be seen as too informal for academic writing. It's better to use more formal alternatives like "investigates" or "examines".

What's the nuance between "comes looking for" and "searches for"?

"Comes looking for" implies a more specific and purposeful act of seeking, often with a sense of anticipation or expectation. "Searches for" is a more general term for the act of trying to find something or someone.